Define the following terms in the glossary section of your blog.
Deconstructing an image
A description
Element of design
Principles of design
In this activity we will discover the difference between seeing and viewing. We will be looking at different types of visual images and discover how to view them effectively.
A Visual World -- On any given day, how many times do you see visual images? Our lives are full of visual information - images on food packages; ads on the walls of a subway; moving images on television; and even in public washrooms we see posters and ads.
How do we navigate all this visual information? In this activity we will look at how to actively view images in order to understand two basic pieces of information:
What is the meaning of an image?
How is the visual information communicated to us, the viewers?
The Difference between Viewing and Seeing
Viewing something and seeing something may seem to be the same thing but there is a huge difference between the two. Viewing is the process of carefully observing and understanding the meaning of visual images. Let's say you see a music video. Chances are you can remember the beat of the song of some details like what people were wearing in the music video. But, actively viewing the music video means you are able to understand how the director has used visual elements like colour and camera angle in order to communicate a message. Just like a musician is able to hear and create all the notes in order to create a song, viewing an image enables you to see the pieces that communicate the message in an image. In order to be able to really view an image, you need to understand the two key components to viewing.
First Component of Active Viewing: Understand the Message (What)
The first component to active viewing is understanding the message that the image is trying to communicate to an audience. This is sometimes called the purpose of the image. An image will generally have one of these three purposes: to entertain, to persuade, or to inform.
Example
An ad on a subway created by a toothpaste company will try to persuade you to buy that particular brand of toothpaste. Therefore, in order to actively view this ad you will first have to know the purpose of the ad - to sell you toothpaste.
Key Questions to understand the Message of an image.
The key word to think about when trying to understand an image is what. Some key questions to ask yourself are:
What is the point of the image?
What is the image about? Does it represent something else?
What does the image want you to do or understand?
What does the image make you think about?
What does the image teach you?
Why do you think the image was created?
What emotions or feelings does the image arouse in the viewer?
What is the intended audience? Is the image created for a particular group of people (children, teenagers, drivers, students...)?
Second Component of Active Viewing: How is the message being communicated (How).
The second component to active viewing is understanding how the message is being communicated in the image. Images influence the way you see and understand the world. In order to actively view an image you must become aware of the ways in which you are being influenced. The visual tools artists use to create images are known as the elements and principles of design. Visual elements and principles like colour, shapes, lighting and emphasis, also known as the focal point, effect how we respond to an image.
Example
When you actively view a horror movie, you'll notice that the dark, minimal lighting; creepy music; and lack of colour create a scary mood and heighten your emotional response to the movie.
It is important to see the elements and principle of design as this will help you understand how they are used to communicate in images. Research or do a net search on Elements and Principles of Design to find out more. Here are some websites to help you get started:
Click on Visual Perception to see a website developed by two Macalester College students.
You are now going to have the opportunity to select an image and use a chart to help you deconstruct the image. Deconstructing an image is actively viewing the image in order to discover the message and visual elements and principles that make up the image. Similar to a demolition crew who takes apart a building; you will be pulling apart an image in order to observe the different parts that make the image work. Here are the three steps you will use to deconstruct and actively view an image.
Step 1: The Description
Before you begin the deconstruction process, you must first describe the image. A description is a statement that represents something visual using words. In order to help you with the description, imagine that you are describing an image to a friend over the phone. You need to give that friend enough information so that your friend can visualize the image.
Key Questions to understand the Message of an image.
Here are some helpful questions and directions that will help you describe an image:
Does the image have a tile an author? What and who is it?
Where did you see, find, or get this image (source)?
What type of image is it (an advertisement, a photograph, a series of images like a music video, a painting, etc.)?
What is the subject of the image (a person, an animal, a house, etc.)?
How would you briefly describe the work?
Step 2: Discover the Message
Once you have created a description of the work, you can then uncover what is the key message of the image. Use the guiding questions from the content page to help you not only discover the message, but also support your discovery with your observations.
Step 3: Explain How the Message is being Communicated
Use the elements and principles of design to discover and explain how they are used to effectively communicate the message to a viewer. Use the guiding questions from the content page to help you discover and explain the use of these elements and principles that influence the viewer.
Let's Get Started!
Now you are going to search for an image that you find interesting and complete the following chart. This chart will help you actively view your selected image. For this assignment, we are going to focus on advertisements. You may look through some magazines for some interesting advertisements; go to the library and find some interesting posters; tape some T.V. commercials; search the Internet for images or commercials. Remember to save a copy of this chart as you will need it to complete the next assignment.
Suggested Web Resources
There are several resources you may use to find examples of advertisements, but here's a website to help you get started;
Click on**Active Viewing Chart**and complete the chart. Post the chart to the Portfolio section of your blog.
Assignment 2
Complete the journal entry - Evaluate the Image and post it to the learning journal section of your blog.
Journal - Evaluate the Image
In this journal entry, you will use your completed Active Viewing Chart to evaluate the image you have selected. To evaluate an image you will need to make a judgement about how successful you feel your selected image from assignment 1 is at communicating the key message to an audience. Use specific information from the Active Viewing Chart from assignment 1 to develop and support your opinion.
Here are some statements to help you create your journal entry:* What is the key message of this image?
What elements and principles of design have been used in this image and how do they influence your reaction to the image?
Is the image successful at communicating the key message? Why or why not.
Rate the work (out if 10) and support this judgement.
Does the image relate to your own life and environment? Why or why not.
Define the following word in the glossary section of your blog.
Media
Thumbnail Sketch
In this activity, we will examine the first of the three steps of the active viewing process.
Operating on Images
Active viewing does not mean that you need to find problems with an image; it means you are able to understand how an image is created and reflect upon what you see. The process of active viewing is similar to a surgeon performing an operation on a patient. The surgeon will begin with a pre-operation appointment in order to do an initial examination of the patient and discover where to focus any further examinations. This initial visit is followed by the operation where the doctor carefully examines the patient and actually operates. Finally the doctor performs a post-operation examination in order to evaluate the patient after surgery.
Similarly, active viewing is a three-step process:
Pre- viewing
In-process viewing
Post- viewing
Using these three steps, you will be able to carefully examine and discover how an image communicates a message to an audience.
The Viewing Process
Just like reading, to be a good viewer you must actively participate in what you are seeing. A good reader will consider the ideas in a piece of writing and creates an internal dialogue with the author: asking questions, congratulating the writer about great observations and ideas, as well as being critical of the author for outrageous or harmful opinions. Similarly, an active viewer must carefully examine an image, ask questions, and understand the purpose and key message of an image. The following charts will help you organize the steps you should take in the process of actively viewing.
Step 1: Pre-viewing
What
What is it?
When
When do you use the strategy?
Why
Why is this important?
Pre-viewing is a strategy that will help you draw on your prior knowledge and experience before you carefully examine the image.
Use this strategy before you begin careful viewing of the image.
Pre-viewing allows you to focus your viewing.
Pre-Viewing Strategies:
Establish your Purpose: know what you hope to achieve and decide on what aspects of the image you wish to focus on. Knowing your purpose for viewing will also help you decide the issues you need to consider and on the type of questions to ask yourself to consider while viewing.
Example
If you are flipping through a magazine and see some images of soldiers you may simply glance at the images. On the other hand, if you were writing an essay on the life of a soldier in WWI, you might look at the images more carefully.
Activate Prior Knowledge: take some time to remember information about the topic of the image and think about past experiences you have viewing similar types of images.
Make Predictions: draw on your knowledge of the topic of the image and your past experiences with imagery to make predictions about the image.
Hint
Knowing the original purpose behind the image will help you decide on the effectiveness of the image when you begin the post-viewing process.
Key Questions to ask when Pre-Viewing
Here are some questions to consider while pre-viewing an image.
Discover the Purpose of an Image:
What is the goal of the creator of the image?
Does the creator of the image want to entertain or inform the viewer about something?
Does the creator of the image want to make an observation about the way people behave?
Does the creator of the image want to persuade the viewer to buy something?
What is your goal while looking at the image?
Activate your Prior Knowledge:
What type of image is this? What are the characteristics of this type of image?
What is the usual purpose of this type of image (eg. An advertisement's purpose is to sell a product)?
What is usually in this type of image?
Who is the intended audience?
Make Some Predictions:
What do you know about this type of image?
What can you see at first glance?
What has been your past experience with this type of image?
You are now going to have the opportunity to select and pre-view a magazine of your choice. A chart will be used to guide you through the pre-viewing process. You will then share your observations and discoveries in a journal entry.
Assignment 3 - Sitting in the Dentist's Office
Have you ever sat in a waiting room waiting to be called in for an appointment? Let's say your dentist's office has a great waiting room that is full of a variety of magazines. How do you select a magazine to read? Ever notice how people rapidly sort through a pile of magazines, usually only looking at the cover, before finding a magazine to read? Why is that?
Magazines are a great media to use when pre-viewing. You can usually predict a lot about the contents of a magazine by looking only at the cover. Go to the library, your local bookstore, even online, and find a magazine you have never read before. Using the following chart, carefully pre-view the magazine. Only look at the cover of the magazine and think about what you know about magazines in general to help you fill in Part A of the chart. Make sure you refer to the content page if you need to review information about the pre-viewing process. Once you have completed Part A of the chart, view the rest of the magazine and reflect on your predictions. Remember to save a copy of this chart as you will need the chart to complete the next assignment.
Please click on the following chart, here, and complete the it. Post it to the portfolio section of your blog.
Assignment 4
Journal - Pre-viewing a Magazine
In this journal entry, you will use you completed Pre-Viewing Chart to reflect upon your pre-viewing experience and help you write this journal entry. Your journal entry should discuss your predictions and observations as you pre-viewed the cover of the magazine. You should also discuss your discoveries once you viewed the rest of the magazine. Finally, evaluate how effective you feel your magazine's cover is at informing the reader about the rest of the magazine. Use specific information from the Pre-Viewing Chart from assignment 3 to develop and support your opinion.
Complete your journal entry - Pre-viewing a Magazine and post it to the learning journal section of your blog.
Activity 3
Define the following word in the glossary section of your blog.
Text
Font
Examining the Image
The pre-viewing process takes place when we first glance at any image and make predictions about content and meaning based on our prior knowledge and experiences. It is only after we have completed this process is it time to carefully view the image in detail - the in-process viewing.
In-process viewing is about actively viewing the image by asking yourself questions and picking out important details as you look at the image. Images communicate to us through our senses and in-process viewing is all about understanding what senses are targeted in order to understand how the image works.
Looking for Clues
In-process viewing is like carefully examining a crime scene for evidence. This second step in the viewing process is where you must carefully examine every detail of an image. Your goal is to discover how the creator of the image has arranged elements and principles of design in order to communicate with the viewer. The following chart will further clarify in-process viewing.
Step 2:
In-Process Viewing
What
What is it?
When
When do you use the strategy?
Why
Why is this important?
In-process viewing strategies help you understand the key message of the image and how this message is communicated to an audience.
In-process viewing strategies are used once you have begun viewing the image.
In-process viewing strategies help you to discover how the image affects viewers.
Active Viewing strategies:* Predicting: as you view the image, you should think about the predictions you have made during pre-viewing. Compare your discoveries with your previous predictions and continue to make or change your predictions. Making predictions will keep you involved in the image and predictions will also help you evaluate how well the image communicates to an audience.
Questioning: many images have been created with a specific purpose. Active viewing will help you focus your viewing on details in the image in order to discover if the image was created to highlight an idea, create an emotional reaction, or persuade an audience to act (eg. buy a product). As you view the image, continuously ask yourself some questions that will help you focus your attention on key details in the image. Questions will help you understand how the image affects you and help you discover the details of the image that have evoked emotional responses.
Keep reading to see some examples of questions you can ask yourself while viewing an image.
Key Questions to ask when Active Viewing
Here are some questions to consider while viewing an image. * What is the purpose of the image? What does the image want me to do, feel, and/ or learn?
Does what I am viewing match my predictions about the image?
How does what I am viewing compare with other similar images I have seen?
How does the visual make me feel? What details in the image help create this effect?
What does the image remind me of? What memories or experiences does this visual call to mind?
How has the artist used visual elements and principles of design to create a reaction in the viewer?
Examine use of words or text (if any) in the image. Is there a slogan or a brand name in the image? Who do you think is the intended audience for the text? Does the text appeal to your emotions; does it describe something, promote something or clarify the image?
Do I like or dislike the image? What is it about the image that I like/ dislike?
Assignment 5 - Image Detective
In order to begin in-process viewing you must first select an image you find interesting, intriguing or upsetting. You may select an image from the same magazine you have used in activity 2 or you may select another image. You can select a photograph, a poster, an advertisement, or a work of art that you really like. Using the following in-process viewing chart, carefully examine the image.
Check this Out
There are several resources you may use to find images, but here's a couple suggestions to help you get started: * Cool Print Ad
Art Photography: Do an image search or go the library and look up these photographers; Dorothea Lange, Sandy Skoglund, Lewis Hine, Margaret Bourke-White.
Click on the Active Viewing Chart and complete the chart. Post it to the Portfolio section of your blog.
Assignment 6
Journal - Emotional Movie Moments
Have you ever cried while watching a sad movie? Or have you ever been startled or scared while watching a horror movie? Why did that happen? How is a director able to manipulate your emotions in order to cause an emotional reaction? Think back to a time when you were emotionally moved by a movie or photograph. What was it about that experience that caused an emotional reaction? Try to focus on the not so obvious elements of the images that enhanced your reaction like sound, music, lighting, and viewpoint.
Create a journal entry that describes an emotional experience you had viewing an image or movie. Use your knowledge of in-process viewing to explain how the creator of the image or movie causes the emotional reaction in an audience. Also, discuss whether or not you feel the movie was successful at achieving the intended purpose of the creator of the movie. Make sure you support your evaluation with specific details about the movie and your experience.
Complete your journal entry - Emotional Movie Moments, and post it to the Learning Journal section of your blog.
Activity 4 - Reflections
Define the following words in the Glossary section of your blog.
Culture
Popular Culture
Understanding what you see
Post-viewing is the last, and most important, step in the active viewing process. Just like eating a thick piece of steak where you need to carefully chew the food before you can swallow; post-viewing is where you slow down and consider what you have learned about the image. Pre-viewing and in-process viewing will allow you to make connections with and carefully examine an image. On the other hand, post-viewing is the viewing process step where you bring together all of your understanding and observations about an image in order to reflect upon the meaning and success of the image.
Step 3: Post-Viewing Strategies
What
What is it?
When
When do you use the strategy?
Why
Why is this important?
Post-viewing allows you to reflect on the image and evaluate the effectiveness of the image.
Use post-viewing strategies after you have used in-process viewing strategies in order to reflect on what you have observed.
Post viewing strategies will help you explore, develop and express your ideas and reactions to an image.
Post-Viewing strategies:* Strategy 1 - Personal Response: a personal response will allow you to reflect on the impact the image has had on you as a viewer. The purpose of most images is to create an effect on the audience. It is essential as an active viewer that you understand how an image can effect the emotions of an audience. We must become sensitive to the ways in which images effect our emotions in order to understand how an image works and how effective the image has been in reaching an audience. ====Example====
The purpose of a horror movie is to create an emotional reaction in an audience. Therefore the dim lighting and creepy sounds of the film all work together to create a reaction of fear in the audience. An active viewer will be able to reflect upon the use of these elements of light and sound and consider how successful these elements are used to create an effect on the movie's audience.
Strategy 2 - Questioning: many images have been created with a specific purpose. In-process viewing will help you focus your viewing on details in the image in order to discover if the image was created to highlight an idea, create an emotional reaction, or persuade an audience to act (e.g., buy a product). Ask yourself some questions that will help you focus on the details of the image. Questions will help you understand how the image affects you and help you discover the details of the image that have evoked this emotional response. Keep reading to see some examples of questions you can ask yourself while viewing an image.
Key Questions to ask when Post-Viewing to create a Personal Response
Here are some questions to consider after viewing an image. These questions can be used to help you explore and understand your reactions to an image. Use these questions as a guide to help you develop your ideas for a personal response to an image. * What was your first reaction after viewing the image? Did you like or dislike the image? Did the image communicate a possible meaning to you?
What kind of emotional reaction did you have when viewing the image? Was this a powerful emotional reaction or not? What about the image created this emotional reaction?
What particular detail of the work did you find interesting or confusing?
Reflect upon other images that you have seen. How does this compare to similar images or ideas in popular culture?
Did anything in the image remind you of your own experiences or culture? What personal connections can you make with the image? Does the image remind you of any sights, sounds, smells, and tastes?
Are there any people in the image? Can you relate to the people depicted in the work? Do you care about the people depicted in the image?
If you could ask the creator of the work some questions, what would they be? Can you answer any of those questions?
What do you think is the purpose of the image? Is the main idea of the image clear? How successful to you feel the image has been at communicating with an audience?
Assignment 7 - Image Gossip
Discussion
It is always a good idea to get another person's point of view when you are actively viewing an image or creating a piece of writing. Sharing your observations and reactions to an image is an essential part of the Post-viewing process. When you share your active viewing observations with another person, you are able to check the accuracy of your observations and conclusions about your emotional reactions to an image as well as your understanding of the key message of the image.
For this assignment you will be sharing your active viewing notes about an image with another student in the class. You may use the same image from activity 3 or you may want to select a new image. Click on Active Viewing Chart or to use the chart from activity 3 to guide you as you actively view and make active viewing notes about your image.
Share your image with another student in the class. Your partner will then actively view your image and make some comments and observations about your image. In return you will actively view your partner's image and share your observations. The final step will be that both you and your partner will carefully view both images in order to find some similarities between the two images. The following Venn diagram will guide your discussion.
Make sure you refer to the content page in order to review information about the post-viewing process and the guiding questions. Remember to save a copy of this chart as you may need to refer to this chart during future activities.
Assignment 8
Journal - Personal Response (Post-viewing an Image)
In this journal entry, create a personal response about your image from assignment 7. Your personal response should discuss the key visual elements of the image and how the image affects you as a viewer.
A personal response is also a chance for you to use your skills as an active viewer to make a judgement about how well the image communicates a message to an audience. It is also important to state how effective you feel the image is at influencing or creating an emotional response in an audience. You may also make connections between what you have observed about the image and your own personal experiences, reactions and opinions.
Complete your journal entry - title it: "Post-viewing an Image" and post it to the Learning Journal section of your blog
Activity 5 - The Power of Words
Words and Emotions
Are you familiar with the phrase, "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me"? How accurate is this statement? Although words may not cause physical harm, words can affect us much more deeply than a short-lived physical wound. Words have the power to communicate with us on very deep emotional levels. Indeed, an insult or complement can have a greater effect on our lives than bumping your head!
Often images are combined with words in order to help communicate an idea and emotion. It is essential that as active viewers we are aware of the power of words and the effects of language on viewers. Words can have power and meaning beyond the regular dictionary definition. In this activity we will explore the power of works by learning about connotation and denotation.
What is it?
Example
Denotation
The denotation of a word is the direct, literal definition of a word. This is the meaning of a word most likely found in a dictionary. Denotation is the meaning of a word without any associated ideas or emotional connections.
The primary denotation of the word "jackass" is a male donkey.
Connotation Connotation is about the associations and feelings we have with a word. It is about the secondary meaning of a word beyond its primary or basic meaning. In images words are often used to signify an idea that goes beyond the dictionary definition in order to create an emotional reaction in an audience.
The word "jackass" has been used to signify a meaning beyond its denotation as a male donkey. The term "jackass" has been used to describe a person who is acting foolish and the meaning of the word is now primarily used in popular culture to describe a foolish person. The associations or denotations with an animal used primarily for simple labour lend power to the word "jackass" when used to describe a person as people do not like their intelligence being compared to that of an animal.
Images and the Connotation of Words
This same word, jackass, has been used to advertise a popular restaurant chain called, "JackAsstor's Bar and Grill". The denotation of the word "jackass" is far from the associations we normally have with restaurants. The use of this word in the name of a restaurant removes some of the negative connotations we may have with the word "jackass" and reminds us of acting silly and having a good time out with friends. The restaurant has used the denotation of the word "jackass" and our surprise at the use of this word in the name of a restaurant in order to appeal to our sense of fun so we will be tempted to dine at the "fun" restaurant.
Assignment 9 - Effect of Word Choice
Click here. Complete the chart and post to the Portfolio section of your blog or to the class drop off box.
Assignment 10
Discussion
Share your Effect of Word Choice chart with your peers in a class discussion. Comment on any similarities or differences. On your chart, make a note beside any word that has been placed in a different category than what you have by your peers. Make sure you return to the content page once you have completed the discussion in order to complete the activity.
Some discussion questions:
Why do you think most words have similar connotations?
Why do some words have different connotations for different people?
Which word do you feel is the most negative, and which word is the most positive? Why have you selected these particular words for these categories?
Assignment 11
Journal - Sticks and Stones
Describe an experience where you have used negative language or you have been the recipient of powerful words. What did this experience look like, feel like and what was said? What are the denotations and connotations of the language used? If you could go back in time what would you do differently? What would you say to yourself or the other person (people) in the situation?
Complete your journal entry - Sticks and Stones and Post it to the Learning Journal Section of your blog.
Unit Culminating Activity
Define the following terms in the glossary section of your blog.
Graphic Designer
Values
Getting the Attention of Your Audience
How many images do you see in any given day? How long do you usually spend viewing an image? What does it take for an image to get and hold onto your attention? These are the key questions to consider in this activity as you will have the opportunity to create a CD cover with an image that you feel is powerful.
In order for an image to be successful not only does the image need to clearly communicate a message, but an image needs to stand out and be unique so that the image will be noticed by people. We are constantly being bombarded with images every day and in order to be an active viewer, you need to understand the impact of images on viewers. This is why active viewers use the three step viewing process: pre-viewing, in-process viewing and post-viewing.
In this activity you will be playing the role of a graphic designer. It will be your job to select an image that you feel best represents the lyrics of your favourite song or your favourite poem. As a graphic designer, you will need to clearly defend your choice of imagery using the active viewing process - imagine that you are presenting your choice of imagery to the artist that created the song or poem.
In this activity we will create a CD booklet with your selected image along with some charts and a personal response to explain the selection you have made.
Selecting the Right Song or Poem
Before we begin searching for an image, we must first select a song or poem that you like and that you feel is powerful. You must look for a song or poem, at least ten lines long, that you feel conveys a strong, positive message to an audience. The message that the song or poem conveys should be constructive in nature and reflect your personal values or highlight an issue of importance to you in today's modern society (I e., poverty, racism, pollution, body image, environmental issues etc...). Carefully consider the language of the lyrics and analyse the impact of the words used in the lyrics and think about how this affects listeners. What are the connotations and denotations of the lyrics?
Here's a review of denotation and connotation from Activity 5:
What is it?
Example
Denotation
The denotation of a word is the direct, literal definition of a word. This is the meaning of a word most likely found in a dictionary. Denotation is the meaning of a word without any associated ideas or emotional connections.
The primary denotation of the word 'jackass' is a male donkey.
Connotation
Connotation is about the associations and feelings we have with a word. It is about the secondary meaning of a word beyond its primary or basic meaning. In images words are often used to signify an idea that goes beyond the dictionary definition in order to create an emotional reaction in an audience.
The word 'jackass' has been used to signify a meaning beyond its denotation as a male donkey. The term, 'jackass' has been used to describe a person who is acting foolish and the meaning of the word is now primarily used in popular culture to describe a foolish person. The associations or denotations with an animal used primarily for simple labour lend power to the word 'jackass' when used to describe a person, as people do not like their intelligence being compared to that of an animal.
The Image Competition
It is now time to use the active viewing process in order to create or select a powerful image to represent your selected song or poem. Remember that your role as a graphic designer is not only to convince an audience that your selected image is appropriate to represent your song; but you must convince people that your image is interesting and it will grab the attention of an audience. Keep reading to see a review of the three steps of the active viewing process. Please feel free to review the content pages of previous activities for more information.
The Active Viewing Process Step 1: Pre-viewing
What
What is it?
When
When do you use the strategy?
Why
Why is this important?
Pre-viewing is a strategy that will help you draw on your prior knowledge and experience before you carefully examine the image.
Use this strategy before you begin careful viewing of the image.
Pre-viewing allows you to focus your viewing.
Step 2: Active Viewing
What
What is it?
When
When do you use the strategy?
Why
Why is this important?
In-process viewing strategies are help you understand the key message of the image and how this message is communicated to an audience.
Use in-process viewing strategies are used once you have begun viewing the image.
In-process viewing strategies help you to discover how the image affects viewers.
Step 3: Post-Viewing Strategies
What
What is it?
When
When do you use the strategy?
Why
Why is this important?
Post-viewing allows you to reflect on the image and evaluate the effectiveness of the image.
Use post-viewing strategies after you have used in-process viewing strategies in order to reflect on what you have observed.
Post viewing strategies will help you explore, develop and express your ideas and reactions to an image.
Assignment 12: Culminating Activity
Part1 - My Song or Poem
You will now begin by selecting a song or a poem that you feel is powerful. This piece of writing should not only have some personal importance to you, but the song or poem should also have a positive and powerful message for listeners. You will need to carefully consider the language of your song as you consider creating or finding an image for your song.
Carefully read the poem or listen to the song you have selected and write down some key lyrics that you feel convey the message of the piece. Use the chart below to help you analyse the language of the song. Make sure you have at least ten lines of poetry or song lyrics to consider. Once you have completed the chart, select one or two lines in your song or poem that you feel is the most interesting and summarizes the key message of your song. You will then use these words to help guide your image selection in the next assignment. Don't forget to hand in a copy of the completed Language Analysis Chart with your final CD booklet.
Complete the following chart and submit your work to your the dropoff folder.
Part 2 - Creating your CD Liner Notes Booklet
It is now time to select an image that you feel is powerful and represents your song or poem. You can select a photograph, a poster, an advertisement or a work of art that you really like. You may also create a detailed, well planned media artwork that explores the idea(s) and feeling(s) presented in your lyrics. Remember, you will be using this image to complete a CD booklet that defends your image choice. Original images that you have created yourself are preferred, but you may select a found image or artwork as long as you provide proper credit to the original artist and reference your source.
We will be using the active viewing process to convince an audience about the validity and quality of the image you have selected to represent the song or poem. Click on the CD Booklet Guide below to see a guide to completing your final CD booklet. This guide will explain the steps needed to complete the CD booklet and it also has questions and hints to help guide your active viewing of the selected image. Your may also use the chart to make point form notes about the details of the image and develop your ideas about the key message of the image. Don't forget to hand in a copy of this chart and your rough notes with your final CD booklet. Don't forget to use the Pre-viewing section (Part B) of the CD Booklet Guide to help you select a strong image.
Use the following document as a guide to help you select an image and make rough notes for your good copy. Submit your process work and rough notes to your teacher.
Part 3 - The Image Competition
This is it! You are now going to prepare the good copy of your CD booklet. Make sure you have the Liner Notes Guide from part 2 to help you complete your good copy. Imagine that you will be submitting this Liner Notes to the creator of your selected song or poem along with a CD or the song or a reading of the poem. The purpose of the Liner Notes is to inform the artist about your choice of imagery as well as to share a personal reflection about the impact of the song and image.
Complete the Liner Notes Template and paste to the Portfolio section of your blog or submit it to the class drop box.
Part 4 - Metacognitive Journal
In a Metacognitive Journal reflect on your reading, writing, viewing, and oral communication experience. Focus on the following: # What reading, writing, viewing and oral communication strategies were already familiar to me?
What new strategies were introduced to me in terms of reading and viewing images?
What task did you find the most interesting or helpful? Why?
What did you find difficult about this unit? Explain.
Do you feel more confident in terms of my understanding, appreciation and application of reading, writing, viewing and oral communication strategies?
How will these skills help me in other subjects and in the workplace?
Complete your Metacognitive Journal entry and post it to the Learning Journal section of your blog.
Activity 1: Glossary
Define the following terms in the glossary section of your blog.
In this activity we will discover the difference between seeing and viewing. We will be looking at different types of visual images and discover how to view them effectively.
A Visual World -- On any given day, how many times do you see visual images? Our lives are full of visual information - images on food packages; ads on the walls of a subway; moving images on television; and even in public washrooms we see posters and ads.
How do we navigate all this visual information? In this activity we will look at how to actively view images in order to understand two basic pieces of information:
The Difference between Viewing and Seeing
Viewing something and seeing something may seem to be the same thing but there is a huge difference between the two. Viewing is the process of carefully observing and understanding the meaning of visual images. Let's say you see a music video. Chances are you can remember the beat of the song of some details like what people were wearing in the music video. But, actively viewing the music video means you are able to understand how the director has used visual elements like colour and camera angle in order to communicate a message. Just like a musician is able to hear and create all the notes in order to create a song, viewing an image enables you to see the pieces that communicate the message in an image. In order to be able to really view an image, you need to understand the two key components to viewing.
First Component of Active Viewing: Understand the Message (What)
The first component to active viewing is understanding the message that the image is trying to communicate to an audience. This is sometimes called the purpose of the image. An image will generally have one of these three purposes: to entertain, to persuade, or to inform.
Example
An ad on a subway created by a toothpaste company will try to persuade you to buy that particular brand of toothpaste. Therefore, in order to actively view this ad you will first have to know the purpose of the ad - to sell you toothpaste.The key word to think about when trying to understand an image is what. Some key questions to ask yourself are:
The second component to active viewing is understanding how the message is being communicated in the image. Images influence the way you see and understand the world. In order to actively view an image you must become aware of the ways in which you are being influenced. The visual tools artists use to create images are known as the elements and principles of design. Visual elements and principles like colour, shapes, lighting and emphasis, also known as the focal point, effect how we respond to an image.
Example
When you actively view a horror movie, you'll notice that the dark, minimal lighting; creepy music; and lack of colour create a scary mood and heighten your emotional response to the movie.It is important to see the elements and principle of design as this will help you understand how they are used to communicate in images. Research or do a net search on Elements and Principles of Design to find out more. Here are some websites to help you get started:
Assignment 1 - Active Viewing
You are now going to have the opportunity to select an image and use a chart to help you deconstruct the image. Deconstructing an image is actively viewing the image in order to discover the message and visual elements and principles that make up the image. Similar to a demolition crew who takes apart a building; you will be pulling apart an image in order to observe the different parts that make the image work. Here are the three steps you will use to deconstruct and actively view an image.
Step 1: The Description
Before you begin the deconstruction process, you must first describe the image. A description is a statement that represents something visual using words. In order to help you with the description, imagine that you are describing an image to a friend over the phone. You need to give that friend enough information so that your friend can visualize the image.
Here are some helpful questions and directions that will help you describe an image:
Step 2: Discover the Message
Once you have created a description of the work, you can then uncover what is the key message of the image. Use the guiding questions from the content page to help you not only discover the message, but also support your discovery with your observations.
Step 3: Explain How the Message is being Communicated
Use the elements and principles of design to discover and explain how they are used to effectively communicate the message to a viewer. Use the guiding questions from the content page to help you discover and explain the use of these elements and principles that influence the viewer.
Let's Get Started!
Now you are going to search for an image that you find interesting and complete the following chart. This chart will help you actively view your selected image. For this assignment, we are going to focus on advertisements. You may look through some magazines for some interesting advertisements; go to the library and find some interesting posters; tape some T.V. commercials; search the Internet for images or commercials. Remember to save a copy of this chart as you will need it to complete the next assignment.
Suggested Web Resources
There are several resources you may use to find examples of advertisements, but here's a website to help you get started;Click on **Active Viewing Chart** and complete the chart. Post the chart to the Portfolio section of your blog.
Assignment 2
Complete the journal entry - Evaluate the Image and post it to the learning journal section of your blog.Journal - Evaluate the Image
Resources
Activity 2: Previewing your world
Define the following word in the glossary section of your blog.
In this activity, we will examine the first of the three steps of the active viewing process.
Active viewing does not mean that you need to find problems with an image; it means you are able to understand how an image is created and reflect upon what you see. The process of active viewing is similar to a surgeon performing an operation on a patient. The surgeon will begin with a pre-operation appointment in order to do an initial examination of the patient and discover where to focus any further examinations. This initial visit is followed by the operation where the doctor carefully examines the patient and actually operates. Finally the doctor performs a post-operation examination in order to evaluate the patient after surgery.
- Pre- viewing
- In-process viewing
- Post- viewing
Using these three steps, you will be able to carefully examine and discover how an image communicates a message to an audience.The Viewing Process
Just like reading, to be a good viewer you must actively participate in what you are seeing. A good reader will consider the ideas in a piece of writing and creates an internal dialogue with the author: asking questions, congratulating the writer about great observations and ideas, as well as being critical of the author for outrageous or harmful opinions. Similarly, an active viewer must carefully examine an image, ask questions, and understand the purpose and key message of an image. The following charts will help you organize the steps you should take in the process of actively viewing.
Step 1: Pre-viewing
What is it?
When do you use the strategy?
Why is this important?
Pre-Viewing Strategies:
Example
If you are flipping through a magazine and see some images of soldiers you may simply glance at the images. On the other hand, if you were writing an essay on the life of a soldier in WWI, you might look at the images more carefully.Hint
Knowing the original purpose behind the image will help you decide on the effectiveness of the image when you begin the post-viewing process.Key Questions to ask when Pre-Viewing
Here are some questions to consider while pre-viewing an image.Discover the Purpose of an Image:
- What is the goal of the creator of the image?
- Does the creator of the image want to entertain or inform the viewer about something?
- Does the creator of the image want to make an observation about the way people behave?
- Does the creator of the image want to persuade the viewer to buy something?
- What is your goal while looking at the image?
Activate your Prior Knowledge:- What type of image is this? What are the characteristics of this type of image?
- What is the usual purpose of this type of image (eg. An advertisement's purpose is to sell a product)?
- What is usually in this type of image?
- Who is the intended audience?
Make Some Predictions:You are now going to have the opportunity to select and pre-view a magazine of your choice. A chart will be used to guide you through the pre-viewing process. You will then share your observations and discoveries in a journal entry.
Assignment 3 - Sitting in the Dentist's Office
Have you ever sat in a waiting room waiting to be called in for an appointment? Let's say your dentist's office has a great waiting room that is full of a variety of magazines. How do you select a magazine to read? Ever notice how people rapidly sort through a pile of magazines, usually only looking at the cover, before finding a magazine to read? Why is that?Magazines are a great media to use when pre-viewing. You can usually predict a lot about the contents of a magazine by looking only at the cover. Go to the library, your local bookstore, even online, and find a magazine you have never read before. Using the following chart, carefully pre-view the magazine. Only look at the cover of the magazine and think about what you know about magazines in general to help you fill in Part A of the chart. Make sure you refer to the content page if you need to review information about the pre-viewing process. Once you have completed Part A of the chart, view the rest of the magazine and reflect on your predictions. Remember to save a copy of this chart as you will need the chart to complete the next assignment.
Please click on the following chart, here, and complete the it. Post it to the portfolio section of your blog.
Assignment 4
Journal - Pre-viewing a Magazine
Activity 3
Define the following word in the glossary section of your blog.
Examining the Image
In-process viewing is about actively viewing the image by asking yourself questions and picking out important details as you look at the image. Images communicate to us through our senses and in-process viewing is all about understanding what senses are targeted in order to understand how the image works.
In-process viewing is like carefully examining a crime scene for evidence. This second step in the viewing process is where you must carefully examine every detail of an image. Your goal is to discover how the creator of the image has arranged elements and principles of design in order to communicate with the viewer. The following chart will further clarify in-process viewing.
Step 2:
In-Process Viewing
What is it?
When do you use the strategy?
Why is this important?
- Questioning: many images have been created with a specific purpose. Active viewing will help you focus your viewing on details in the image in order to discover if the image was created to highlight an idea, create an emotional reaction, or persuade an audience to act (eg. buy a product). As you view the image, continuously ask yourself some questions that will help you focus your attention on key details in the image. Questions will help you understand how the image affects you and help you discover the details of the image that have evoked emotional responses.
Keep reading to see some examples of questions you can ask yourself while viewing an image.Key Questions to ask when Active Viewing
In order to begin in-process viewing you must first select an image you find interesting, intriguing or upsetting. You may select an image from the same magazine you have used in activity 2 or you may select another image. You can select a photograph, a poster, an advertisement, or a work of art that you really like. Using the following in-process viewing chart, carefully examine the image.
Check this Out
Click on the Active Viewing Chart and complete the chart. Post it to the Portfolio section of your blog.
Assignment 6
Journal - Emotional Movie Moments
Create a journal entry that describes an emotional experience you had viewing an image or movie. Use your knowledge of in-process viewing to explain how the creator of the image or movie causes the emotional reaction in an audience. Also, discuss whether or not you feel the movie was successful at achieving the intended purpose of the creator of the movie. Make sure you support your evaluation with specific details about the movie and your experience.
Complete your journal entry - Emotional Movie Moments, and post it to the Learning Journal section of your blog.
Activity 4 - Reflections
Define the following words in the Glossary section of your blog.
Understanding what you see
What is it?
When do you use the strategy?
Why is this important?
The purpose of a horror movie is to create an emotional reaction in an audience. Therefore the dim lighting and creepy sounds of the film all work together to create a reaction of fear in the audience. An active viewer will be able to reflect upon the use of these elements of light and sound and consider how successful these elements are used to create an effect on the movie's audience.
Key Questions to ask when Post-Viewing to create a Personal Response
Here are some questions to consider after viewing an image. These questions can be used to help you explore and understand your reactions to an image. Use these questions as a guide to help you develop your ideas for a personal response to an image. * What was your first reaction after viewing the image? Did you like or dislike the image? Did the image communicate a possible meaning to you?Assignment 7 - Image Gossip
Discussion
It is always a good idea to get another person's point of view when you are actively viewing an image or creating a piece of writing. Sharing your observations and reactions to an image is an essential part of the Post-viewing process. When you share your active viewing observations with another person, you are able to check the accuracy of your observations and conclusions about your emotional reactions to an image as well as your understanding of the key message of the image.For this assignment you will be sharing your active viewing notes about an image with another student in the class. You may use the same image from activity 3 or you may want to select a new image. Click on Active Viewing Chart or to use the chart from activity 3 to guide you as you actively view and make active viewing notes about your image.
Share your image with another student in the class. Your partner will then actively view your image and make some comments and observations about your image. In return you will actively view your partner's image and share your observations. The final step will be that both you and your partner will carefully view both images in order to find some similarities between the two images. The following Venn diagram will guide your discussion.
Make sure you refer to the content page in order to review information about the post-viewing process and the guiding questions. Remember to save a copy of this chart as you may need to refer to this chart during future activities.
Assignment 8
Journal - Personal Response (Post-viewing an Image)
A personal response is also a chance for you to use your skills as an active viewer to make a judgement about how well the image communicates a message to an audience. It is also important to state how effective you feel the image is at influencing or creating an emotional response in an audience. You may also make connections between what you have observed about the image and your own personal experiences, reactions and opinions.
Complete your journal entry - title it: "Post-viewing an Image" and post it to the Learning Journal section of your blog
Activity 5 - The Power of Words
Words and Emotions
Often images are combined with words in order to help communicate an idea and emotion. It is essential that as active viewers we are aware of the power of words and the effects of language on viewers. Words can have power and meaning beyond the regular dictionary definition. In this activity we will explore the power of works by learning about connotation and denotation.
What is it?
Example
The denotation of a word is the direct, literal definition of a word. This is the meaning of a word most likely found in a dictionary. Denotation is the meaning of a word without any associated ideas or emotional connections.
Images and the Connotation of Words
This same word, jackass, has been used to advertise a popular restaurant chain called, "JackAsstor's Bar and Grill". The denotation of the word "jackass" is far from the associations we normally have with restaurants. The use of this word in the name of a restaurant removes some of the negative connotations we may have with the word "jackass" and reminds us of acting silly and having a good time out with friends. The restaurant has used the denotation of the word "jackass" and our surprise at the use of this word in the name of a restaurant in order to appeal to our sense of fun so we will be tempted to dine at the "fun" restaurant.Assignment 9 - Effect of Word Choice
Click here. Complete the chart and post to the Portfolio section of your blog or to the class drop off box.Assignment 10
Discussion
Share your Effect of Word Choice chart with your peers in a class discussion. Comment on any similarities or differences. On your chart, make a note beside any word that has been placed in a different category than what you have by your peers. Make sure you return to the content page once you have completed the discussion in order to complete the activity.Some discussion questions:
Assignment 11
Journal - Sticks and Stones
Unit Culminating Activity
Define the following terms in the glossary section of your blog.
Getting the Attention of Your Audience
In order for an image to be successful not only does the image need to clearly communicate a message, but an image needs to stand out and be unique so that the image will be noticed by people. We are constantly being bombarded with images every day and in order to be an active viewer, you need to understand the impact of images on viewers. This is why active viewers use the three step viewing process: pre-viewing, in-process viewing and post-viewing.
In this activity we will create a CD booklet with your selected image along with some charts and a personal response to explain the selection you have made.
Before we begin searching for an image, we must first select a song or poem that you like and that you feel is powerful. You must look for a song or poem, at least ten lines long, that you feel conveys a strong, positive message to an audience. The message that the song or poem conveys should be constructive in nature and reflect your personal values or highlight an issue of importance to you in today's modern society (I e., poverty, racism, pollution, body image, environmental issues etc...). Carefully consider the language of the lyrics and analyse the impact of the words used in the lyrics and think about how this affects listeners. What are the connotations and denotations of the lyrics?
Here's a review of denotation and connotation from Activity 5:
What is it?
Example
The denotation of a word is the direct, literal definition of a word. This is the meaning of a word most likely found in a dictionary. Denotation is the meaning of a word without any associated ideas or emotional connections.
Connotation is about the associations and feelings we have with a word. It is about the secondary meaning of a word beyond its primary or basic meaning. In images words are often used to signify an idea that goes beyond the dictionary definition in order to create an emotional reaction in an audience.
It is now time to use the active viewing process in order to create or select a powerful image to represent your selected song or poem. Remember that your role as a graphic designer is not only to convince an audience that your selected image is appropriate to represent your song; but you must convince people that your image is interesting and it will grab the attention of an audience. Keep reading to see a review of the three steps of the active viewing process. Please feel free to review the content pages of previous activities for more information.
The Active Viewing Process
Step 1: Pre-viewing
What is it?
When do you use the strategy?
Why is this important?
Step 2: Active Viewing
What is it?
When do you use the strategy?
Why is this important?
Step 3: Post-Viewing Strategies
What is it?
When do you use the strategy?
Why is this important?
Assignment 12: Culminating Activity
Part1 - My Song or Poem
You will now begin by selecting a song or a poem that you feel is powerful. This piece of writing should not only have some personal importance to you, but the song or poem should also have a positive and powerful message for listeners. You will need to carefully consider the language of your song as you consider creating or finding an image for your song.
Carefully read the poem or listen to the song you have selected and write down some key lyrics that you feel convey the message of the piece. Use the chart below to help you analyse the language of the song. Make sure you have at least ten lines of poetry or song lyrics to consider. Once you have completed the chart, select one or two lines in your song or poem that you feel is the most interesting and summarizes the key message of your song. You will then use these words to help guide your image selection in the next assignment. Don't forget to hand in a copy of the completed Language Analysis Chart with your final CD booklet.
Complete the following chart and submit your work to your the dropoff folder.
Part 2 - Creating your CD Liner Notes Booklet
It is now time to select an image that you feel is powerful and represents your song or poem. You can select a photograph, a poster, an advertisement or a work of art that you really like. You may also create a detailed, well planned media artwork that explores the idea(s) and feeling(s) presented in your lyrics. Remember, you will be using this image to complete a CD booklet that defends your image choice. Original images that you have created yourself are preferred, but you may select a found image or artwork as long as you provide proper credit to the original artist and reference your source.We will be using the active viewing process to convince an audience about the validity and quality of the image you have selected to represent the song or poem. Click on the CD Booklet Guide below to see a guide to completing your final CD booklet. This guide will explain the steps needed to complete the CD booklet and it also has questions and hints to help guide your active viewing of the selected image. Your may also use the chart to make point form notes about the details of the image and develop your ideas about the key message of the image. Don't forget to hand in a copy of this chart and your rough notes with your final CD booklet. Don't forget to use the Pre-viewing section (Part B) of the CD Booklet Guide to help you select a strong image.
Use the following document as a guide to help you select an image and make rough notes for your good copy. Submit your process work and rough notes to your teacher.
Part 3 - The Image Competition
This is it! You are now going to prepare the good copy of your CD booklet. Make sure you have the Liner Notes Guide from part 2 to help you complete your good copy. Imagine that you will be submitting this Liner Notes to the creator of your selected song or poem along with a CD or the song or a reading of the poem. The purpose of the Liner Notes is to inform the artist about your choice of imagery as well as to share a personal reflection about the impact of the song and image.Complete the Liner Notes Template and paste to the Portfolio section of your blog or submit it to the class drop box.
Part 4 - Metacognitive Journal